How to Write a Script With Dialogue that Doesn't Suck

ScriptBully Books #4

by Michael Rogan

Want to know how to write a script that people will remember, and can catch the attention of producers and other above-the-line talent? (Don't worry about agents; they don't want to talk to you). Nail your dialogue. Really. Now I know you've heard all the Film is a Visual Medium; You Can Either Write Dialogue or You Can't. And they both sound very logical. And esteemed writers, such as David Mamet, have been preaching them for years.

But, in my not so humble opinion, they're both total bullcrap. Yes, when learning how to write a movie you want to focus on structure and plot. And you don't want dialogue-heavy scenes where characters sit in coffee shops for three pages. But dialogue is the ONE PART of movie scripts that readers, producers, story editors and development exectuives will absolutely read. The same can't be said for your scene description.

I know, that breaks your heart. (You spent hours working on your lean description of a car chase involving nuns on mopeds). But when skimming, and lots of script readers skim, dialogue is the most efficient/easiest way to do it. So if it's so important how he heck do we get you better at it.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

First published May 15, 2012

Reviews

[K.M. Weiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great little guide, full of punchy and easily actionable suggestions. Some more examples from great scripts wouldn't have gone amiss, but, as it is, it's a fast read that offers something of value on pretty much every page.

[Laura Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Rogan notes, while it's hard to become a master of dialogue, it's NOT all that hard to become decent at it. In fact, "All you gotta do is have your dialogue be 'fun' for actors to say."

Brilliant!

Now... how do you do that?

Rogan explains that characters very rarely say what they're actually thinking, so learning how to dance around the truth of a scene is the best thing to do. One of his exercises asks you to figure out what's the most important point of the scene, and then make VERY, VERY sure that no one is allowed to say it. Perfect. Or, better yet, find out the one thing the hero would desperately like to say, and then put that information into the mouth of the antagonist, making it into an attack. Also a great idea.

With plenty of other tips for tightening up your dialogue, including the ever-important "Read it aloud!", this book is practically guaranteed to help whip your characters' speeches and one-liners into shape with a little thought and lots of practice.

[Erin Enley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just came back for a second read of this little book. As before, it's sassy, short, and full of helpful tips.

[jon ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A jab of information

It's short yet heavy in good content which clears the exasperation that most screenwriting books give you. This pushes you to get back to work on improving your script.

[Shawn Mcdowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Script writing that does not suck

This ebook was short and to the point with some great advice on writing a script. This is a great ebook on this subject. Get it.

[E. T. Brother · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[Vernon Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, informative, easy to read and sometimes funny. A basic hands on way to write. A good book to start with to get started and really see what will be coming at you down the line.